Most Asian stocks rose on Friday tracking strong overnight gains on Wall Street, with Japanese and Australian markets at record highs amid growing hopes over lower interest rates in 2024. 

The Japanese yen strengthened sharply against the dollar on Thursday, crossing key levels after a Bank of Japan member called for an overhaul to the bank’s ultra-dovish policy, including an exit from yield curve control and negative interest rates.

South Korea's exports likely rose in February for a fifth straight month, led by chip shipments, a Reuters poll showed on Wednesday, in which analysts said much slower growth this month would be largely due to unfavourable calendar effects.

Japanese retail sales grew more than expected in January as increased year-end shopping saw consumers look past persistent pressure from high inflation.

Japan's January factory output fell at the fastest pace since May 2020, government data showed on Thursday, as a production downturn in motor vehicles adds to concerns about the fragility of an economy that slipped into recession late last year.

Japan's January factory output fell at the fastest pace since May 2020, government data showed on Thursday, as a production downturn in motor vehicles adds to concerns about the fragility of an economy that slipped into recession late last year.